20 questions from the Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39). Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. When approaching a roundabout, in which direction must drivers travel once inside the circle?
Answer: Counter-clockwise. The handbook clearly states that traffic within a roundabout must move in a counter-clockwise direction.
Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 18: “After entering the roundabout, drivers must travel in a counter-clockwise direction.”
2. According to the handbook, how should two vehicles approaching each other coordinate their movements when both are signaling to turn left?
Answer: Both vehicles should turn in front of each other so that the passenger sides of the vehicles are beside each other. The handbook instructs drivers to turn in front of each other so passenger sides align, rather than yielding or turning behind one another.
Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 20: “When two vehicles are approaching each other and signaling to turn left, both vehicles should turn in front of each other so that the passenger sides of the vehicles are beside each other.”
3. What is the mandatory additional jail term for a first DUI conviction involving a juvenile passenger aged 17 or younger?
Answer: Five days. The handbook specifies a mandatory additional five-day jail term for this specific scenario.
Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 32: “Conviction of any DUI offense involving a juvenile passenger (age 17 or younger) in the vehicle at the time of the offense carries an additional mandatory five-day jail term plus all other fines and jail sentences.”
4. How should a driver operate antilock brakes according to the handbook?
Answer: Never pump antilock brakes. The handbook instructs drivers not to pump antilock brakes, distinguishing them from traditional braking methods.
Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 17: “Remember, never pump antilock brakes.”
5. When an emergency vehicle approaches from behind using sirens or flashing lights, what action must you take?
Answer: Immediately yield the right-of-way and pull over to the right. Drivers are required to yield right-of-way by safely pulling over to the right edge of the road and stopping.
Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 18: “When police, fire and rescue vehicles or ambulances approach you from behind your vehicle using a siren, flashing lights or both, you must immediately yield the right-of-way. Safely pull over to the right edge of the road and stop until the emergency vehicle has passed.”
6. What does a flashing yellow arrow indicate to a driver?
Answer: You may turn in the direction of the arrow if the way is clear, yielding to other traffic. The handbook specifies that a flashing yellow arrow allows turning when clear, provided the driver yields to opposing traffic and pedestrians.
Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 7: “Flashing yellow arrow: At a flashing yellow arrow, you may turn in the direction of the arrow, if the way is clear. Yield the right-of-way to vehicles coming from the other direction and pedestrians in the intersection.”
7. According to the criteria for sitting without a booster seat, how should the lap belt be positioned?
Answer: Across the upper thighs. The handbook states that the lap belt must lie snugly across the upper thighs for a child to sit without a booster seat.
Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 29: “Lap belt lies snugly across the upper thighs”
8. What is required when approaching a stationary emergency vehicle with flashing lights on a highway?
Answer: Proceed with caution and change lanes if reasonable. Drivers are instructed to proceed with caution and move to a different lane if it is safe and reasonable to do so.
Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 18: “When approaching a stationary emergency vehicle or tow truck with flashing lights on a highway, proceed with caution and, if reasonable, with due regard for safety and traffic conditions, change to a lane not next to the vehicle.”
9. How long is a driving privilege automatically suspended for a first offense if a driver refuses a breath test or has a BAC of .08 percent or higher?
Answer: Seven days. The handbook states that the automatic suspension period for a first offense under these conditions is seven days.
Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 32: “your driving privilege will be automatically suspended: for seven days, for a first offense”
10. What is the minimum clearance required by state law when a motorist passes a cyclist?
Answer: Three feet. The handbook specifies that state law mandates a minimum of three feet of clearance when passing cyclists.
Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 22: “State law requires motorists to pass cyclists with at least three feet of clearance.”
11. How should a driver respond to a lane marked with a red X signal?
Answer: Never drive in the lane. The handbook clearly instructs drivers to never drive in lanes marked with a red X signal.
Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 8: “Red X: Never drive in a lane marked with a red X signal.”
12. Under what condition is a licensed driver aged 18, 19, or 20 permitted to sit in the front passenger seat with a learner's permit holder?
Answer: If they are the learner's legal guardian, sibling, half-sibling, step-brother, or step-sister. The handbook specifies that drivers aged 18-20 are eligible to supervise only if they hold specific familial relationships to the learner, such as being a guardian or sibling.
Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 33: “The licensed driver with you may be age 18, 19, or 20 if he or she is your legal guardian, brother, sister, halfbrother, half-sister, step brother or stepsister.”
13. When vehicles from different directions arrive at the same time at an intersection with no signs or signals, which driver must yield?
Answer: The driver on the left must allow the driver on the right to go first. The handbook states that in this specific scenario, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 18: “When vehicles from different directions arrive at the same time at an intersection with no signs or signals, the driver on the left must allow the driver on the right to go first.”
14. What action should a driver take if their car stalls on railroad tracks?
Answer: Get out of the car right away and run diagonally away from the tracks in the direction of the oncoming train. The handbook instructs drivers to exit immediately and run diagonally away from the tracks toward the oncoming train.
Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 12: “If your car stalls on the tracks, don’t hesitate. Get out of the car right away and run diagonally away from the tracks in the direction of the oncoming train.”
15. What do red reflectors on the pavement indicate according to the handbook?
Answer: Areas not to be entered or used. The handbook defines red reflectors as markers for areas that drivers should not enter or use.
Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 13: “Red reflectors on the pavement show areas not to be entered or used.”
16. According to the handbook, how should you apply brakes when stopping on an icy or slippery road?
Answer: Apply brakes gently. The handbook instructs drivers to apply brakes gently when stopping on icy or slippery surfaces.
Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 37: “If you are driving on an icy or slippery road and have to stop: a. Apply brakes gently.”
17. When approaching a 'Low Clearance Sign', what condition must a vehicle meet to proceed under the overpass?
Answer: The vehicle must be shorter than the height shown on the sign. The handbook advises not proceeding if the vehicle's height exceeds the limit displayed on the sign.
Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 10: “Do not proceed if your vehicle is taller than the height shown on the sign.”
18. When approaching an intersection, in what order should a driver look?
Answer: Left first, then right, then left again. The handbook instructs drivers to look left first because vehicles from that direction are closer, followed by a look right, and finally another quick look left.
Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 21: “At any intersection, look to the left first, since cars coming from the left will be closer to you. Then look to the right and take one more quick look to the left before you drive through.”
19. How should you position your front wheels when parking uphill with a curb?
Answer: Turn them to the left. The handbook instructs drivers to turn their front wheels to the left when parking uphill next to a curb.
Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 24: “Parking uphill — with curb Turn front wheels left”
20. What is the required hand signal for indicating a right turn when a vehicle's mechanical turn signals are not functioning?
Answer: Left hand and arm pointing upward. The handbook specifies that for a right turn, the driver must extend the left hand and arm upward.
Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), page 20: “Right Turn Left hand and arm pointing upward”